What is the best family electric car?
In need of a suitable electric family car but unsure of where to start looking? We've got you covered with this list showing 10 of the best
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Switching to an electric car can be a huge change for a family – not just because it’s a new way of driving, but because it introduces some big differences.
However, once you’ve got the hang of how and when to charge them, and what the range is, you’ll be on your way to a cleaner and more efficient future.
Here are 10 of the best electric family cars that we think you should consider for your next used car purchase.
Audi e-tron
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For its first mass-produced electric car, Audi didn’t want to mess about, which is why it launched the e-tron – a fully electric family car with a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge.
With its spacious rear legroom and high-tech interior, what more could you want? It’s also got a 605-litre boot that’s one of the largest in its class, allowing you to stuff it full of bags for a long weekend road trip away with the kids.
In addition to its impressive infotainment system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, the e-tron also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to ensure you’re covered no matter what phone you use.
When buying an e-tron, you get the choice between two different battery configurations: 64kWh; and the larger 86kWh in the 55 model.
If you want more power and range then we’d recommend opting for the latter, which comes with a 254-mile range and 408hp. Otherwise, the standard one is more than capable for most people.
Plus, a used Audi is a great way to cut costs compared to a brand-new model.
Tesla Model 3
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Most people think you need a medium or large SUV as a family car, but there‘s a whole range of other body types that do the job just as well.
The Tesla Model 3 is a perfect example of this – with its small proportions and peppy get-up-and-go mentality, there are very few other electric vehicles (EVs) as small as this that are great for a family.
Inside the used Tesla, there’s plenty of space to seat up to five people, though we’d recommend sticking to four people for those longer motorway journeys if you want to be as comfortable as possible.
The infotainment system is the best in the business, with a high-resolution 15-inch touchscreen up front and the ability to even play video games or make whoopie cushion sounds in the seats – not something you get with every other car.
You can expect to get 425 litres of bootspace and a range of up to 374 miles on a single charge. Not bad for Tesla’s cheapest car, we’d say.
Skoda Enyaq iV
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The Skoda Yeti was a popular car among families for one simple reason: it was dependable. Like a family Labrador, we humans like something we can always rely on, and the newer Skoda Enyaq iV does just that.
With plenty of rear legroom and a large 585-litre boot, this might just be the perfect EV for a cross-country road trip or a drive to your local supermarket for a large weekly shop.
Skoda claims you’ll get a whopping 303 miles of range from the Enyaq 80 dual motor trim, which is a lot for a car that weighs 2,183 kg and can comfortably carry up to five people.
The interior technology is sublime too, and you even have access to Skoda’s virtual assistant, Laura, who can help you control different functions without having to take your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel.
Kia EV6
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One of the more stylish electric cars on the market today is the used Kia EV6 – a South Korean car that offers a very sleek and futuristic design, as well as plenty of room for the family.
From day one, this EV has been winning awards for being capable and easy to live with – often beating its Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E rivals.
There’s a total of 490 litres of bootspace and plenty of rear legroom for taller adult passengers. This may not sound like much when compared to its rivals, but pop the bonnet and you’ll be greeted by a further 52 litres of space in between the various fluid reservoirs.
When you move inside, you’ll notice that the interior is also very swanky, with plenty of soft-touch materials and a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen that spans the length of the dashboard, helping you to really see the maps or album cover of the music you’re jamming to.
Peugeot e-208
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With a decent electric range of 225 miles from its onboard 50kWh battery pack, the Peugeot e-208 is the perfect family EV for those who don’t need a lot of space but like to travel far on a single charge.
While it can handle motorways with ease, the little used Peugeot is most at home in city and town environments because of its tiny proportions and peppy 136hp electric motor. We’re confident you won’t be left wanting much more power, especially in an urban environment.
Being a small electric hatchback, there is going to be less space inside, but somehow Peugeot makes the e-208 feel roomy by offering decent head and rear legroom for even those taller passengers.
Additionally, the interior works just as well as any other Peugeot model, with all the switches feeling sturdy and well-built. Plus, it’s got some cool 3D dials that sit on the digital gauge cluster for that added pizzazz.
Volkswagen ID.4
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Being closely related to the Skoda Enyaq means that the Volkswagen ID.4 is a fine motor car that’s very dependable and won’t let you down, making it one of the best electric cars for a family of five.
To put its size into perspective, the ID.4 is about the same size as the Tiguan SUV that VW has been selling since 2007. This means it benefits from a large 543-litre boot and plenty of rear space for even the taller passengers among us.
Your used Volkswagen ID.4 can be had with either a 52kWh or a 77kWh battery, offering 220 miles and 328 miles of range on a single charge. Both are great ranges but if you’re planning on driving a little further, then opt for the Pro model.
MG4
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If value for money is what you’re after, a used MG MG4 may be the one for you. It’s one of the cheapest new electric cars you can buy, so they’re even more attractive on the used car market.
Despite rivalling the likes of the VW ID.3 and Renault Megane E-Tech, the MG4 is more closely priced with the much smaller Renault Zoe, meaning your money is travelling much further than it otherwise would.
Bootspace comes in at 363 litres, which isn’t far off the VW Golf’s, and the rear space is excellent for up to five passengers.
Power comes from either a 170hp or 203hp electric motor, offering 218 and 281 miles of range. This can be maintained further with the addition of regenerative braking, which essentially gives you one pedal driving and feeds power back into the battery when the car engages its brakes.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
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Battling for first place in the fashion contest with the Kia EV6 is its close rival, the Hyundai IONIQ 5. This is a hatchback that’s almost the same length as a Range Rover yet doesn’t feel nearly as big once you’re on the road.
We like to think of this used Hyundai as being a spaceship on wheels, with its aggressive side profile and retro taillights that look like they’ve come off Knight Rider.
You’ll get 527 litres of space in the boot, which is plenty for most families, and higher-spec models even come with a fancy hands-free tailgate to make loading the car with hands full of shopping that much easier.
There are two different batteries available: a 58kWh battery found in the entry-level car; and a larger 78kWh battery you get in the top-spec one. These offer 238 miles and 285 miles respectively – making it a pleasure to live with.
Kia Niro EV
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If you live in a city such as London, you may be more familiar with the Kia Niro EV than you may think. This is because most Ubers and taxis use these because of their great luggage capacity and expansive range.
You get 475 litres of bootspace and plenty of legroom in the rear, meaning your passengers won’t be complaining any time soon – unless you skip their favourite song.
With its 64.8kWh battery pack, Kia claims you can travel up to 285 miles on a single charge, and we don’t doubt that.
Plus, the interior is so nice that you probably won’t want to get out after your long journey. Two large digital displays work seamlessly with one another, giving you the freedom to display what you want to see.
BMW iX3
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We like the BMW iX3 because it bridges the gap perfectly between brand-new electric technology and older, more traditional SUVs.
Being based on the standard X3 model, this electric variant is very familiar, which helps those who may not feel ready to jump into a completely new electric car just yet.
Like all BMWs, the interior of the iX3 is very well laid-out and offers everything you could possibly want or need, from a 12.3-inch display to a very clever system that uses the sat-nav to automatically slow your car down using regenerative braking when it’s needed.
There’s one 80kWh battery that offers up to 282 miles on a single charge, which is more than sufficient for most people. With the use of fast charging at 150kW, you can fill up the battery in just over 30 minutes.
It's also a good idea to look for used BMW models, as these are often cheaper than brand-new.